The Self Employed Mum Podcast

Hands up if you feel guilty for being excited about your business. For working on the weekend, or taking a shorter maternity leave, or taking on that extra project and being less present in your home. For daring to build something for you- and not making absolutely EVERYTHING be about your kids. Juggling a growing business alongside the heavy load of motherhood is a LOT. Trying to stay on top of all of the things is a LOT. And constantly comparing ourselves- to those around us, to the stereotypical mums we see on tv, to the "perfect" lives we are shown on instagram? It feeds that guilt until you end up feeling like you've failed at everything. The thing is, no one has this figured out. No one is doing it perfectly. And EVERYONE deals with the guilt of trying to balance these two very important aspects of their lives. If you are keeping your small humans happy and your business afloat- that is enough. You are doing enough. And alongside all of those added obstacels and challenges of running a business? There are a lot of benefits too. Not just for you, but for your children.This epsiode is all about highlighting the ways in which being an entrepreneur enriches your children's lives, your family's lifestyle, and the community around you. It celebrates the hardships of entrepreneurship and motherhood, gives you the great big pat on the back you deserve (and need to hear!) and shares the three best things about running a business while raising tiny humans. This is a short and sweet solo episode and I hope you'll find it helpful, relatable and a little bit inspirational too.  Thanks for joining the conversation!   Don't forget to like/follow the podcast to stay up to date on new episodes, and if you like what you hear please give us a share!Connect with me: Rhiannon LoudenInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/rhiannonlouden.co.uk & https://www.instagram.com/rhiannonealeWebsite: https://www.rhiannonlouden.co.ukSubstack: https://theraremumchronicles.substack.com/ Podcast instagram: https://www.instagram.com/courageandchaospodIntro/Outro music credit: https://www.purple-planet.comBecome a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/courage-chaos--4358445/support.

We talk a lot on this podcast about challenging industry "norms" and breaking the "rules". Taking a stance on what you believe in, even if it's not the popular opinion.  And there is no industry that's more relevant in than health & fitness- especially when it comes to health & fitness for women. We have all grown up being told our bodies should be smaller, that our worth is tied to a number on a scale. That exercise should be about being smaller, or punishment for eating, or focused solely around burning calories.  Thankfully that is changing, and my guest on today's episode is leading the way in a new way of thinking. Lynsey Ferguson is a women's health and exercise coach with two decades of experience in the industry. With a degree in sports medicine and specialist training in working with women who are pre and post natal, as well as women in the peri-menopause and menopausal stages of life she has a wealth of experience and specialist training and is working hard to get a new message out: one about the long term physical benefits, the mental health benefits, the confidence boost and ability to live your life to the fullest.  Lynsey and I chat about breaking outside traditional measures of "success", whether that's around fitness, entrepreneurship or in life in general. We talk about backlash for speaking out in a new way, why finding unique messaging is important and how the longer you're in business, the more confident you become to do things your own way.  Lynsey also shares lots of insights into how to start incorporating little bits of exercise into your day- and how to get started with weight training if it's something you've always wanted to do, but thought wasn't 'for' you.  Thanks for joining the conversation!   Don't forget to like/follow the podcast to stay up to date on new episodes, and if you like what you hear please give us a share!Episode Links: Guest:Lynsey Ferguson: Women's Health & Exercise CoachInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/themightymamacoach Connect with me: Rhiannon Louden: Mentor, Brand Strategist & Photographer, Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rhiannonlouden.co.uk & https://www.instagram.com/rhiannonealeWebsite: https://www.rhiannonlouden.co.ukSubstack: https://theraremumchronicles.substack.com/ Intro/Outro music credit: https://www.purple-planet.comBecome a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/courage-chaos--4358445/support.

Being your own boss means YOU set the rules. The traditional, corporate, patriarchal business setup wasn't created with women in mind. And it certainly wasn't created to feel manageable for women who are also mothers and carers.  Setting your own rules for your business, your lifestyle, and your own version of success is how you create a business you love- instead of a business you start to resent.  And when you build your business around your own values and lifestyle, that's where the growth happens. That's where you find the likeminded people, the audience who can relate, the ideal clients who appreciate the things you've done to make your business work for you and for them.  This episode topic was chosen by YOU thanks to a recent instagram poll and I hope it shares some insight into the ways I challenged business norms and created my own rules- and why that helped me grow my business to where it is today. This episode is honest, it's blunt and it's unapologetic- and I hope it’s a bit inspiring too.  If you're struggling to structure your business around your busy life, if you're feeling afraid to rebel against industry norms, if you're frustrated with business "rules" that really don't apply to women/mothers/carers or creative entrepreneurs- this episode is for you.   This is a short and sweet solo episode and I hope you'll find it helpful, relatable and a little bit inspirational too.  Thanks for joining the conversation!   Don't forget to like/follow the podcast to stay up to date on new episodes, and if you like what you hear please give us a share!Connect with me: Rhiannon LoudenInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/rhiannonlouden.co.uk & https://www.instagram.com/rhiannonealeWebsite: https://www.rhiannonlouden.co.ukSubstack: https://theraremumchronicles.substack.com/ Podcast instagram: https://www.instagram.com/courageandchaospodIntro/Outro music credit: https://www.purple-planet.comBecome a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/courage-chaos--4358445/support.

Nothing challenges your identity like becoming a mother- and the evolution of motherhood to follow. It's all consuming, and all the sudden you have a new role, new responsibilites, a new body and a whole new world to navigate. This week on the @courageandchaospod I’m joined by Catrin Kemp: writer, mum of two and founder/director of @newmumswritingcircle to talk ALL about the transition to and then evolution of motherhood. We cover a whole host of topics around entrepreneurship and motherhood: managing your ever-changing hormones, challenging patriarchal views, finding a community and a means of expression and redefining your own version of success. We share our own personal stories- straight from the trenches- and chat through why we've built our business to suit our changed goals, lifestyles and values.  This episode is full of perspective, advice and honest thoughts on how hard this journey is, and how to make it through. Thanks for joining the conversation!   Don't forget to like/follow the podcast to stay up to date on new episodes, and if you like what you hear please give us a share!Episode Links: Guest:Catrin Kemp: Founder + Director, New Mums Writing CircleInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/newmumswritingWebsite: https://www.newmumswriting.co.uk/Substack: https://substack.com/@newmumswriting Connect with me: Rhiannon Louden: Business Mentor, Brand Strategist & Photographer, Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rhiannonlouden.co.uk & https://www.instagram.com/rhiannonealeWebsite: https://www.rhiannonlouden.co.ukSubstack: https://theraremumchronicles.substack.com/ Intro/Outro music credit: https://www.purple-planet.comBecome a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/courage-chaos--4358445/support.

Repeat after me: I do not need to reinvent myself this year.Or set a big list of goals you haven't actually given much thought to- just because there are messages everywhere telling you that's what you "have to" do to become a "success."The first episode of 2025 is all about saying goodbye to the "New Year, New You'll bullsh*t we see every January and instead taking some time to think honestly about what you want out of 2025.I start with sharing my own perspective after what was the most tumultous year of my life in 2024, and why I'm not setting big showy goals for 2025. I talk you through the difference between dreams, intentions and goals and the importance of choosing a select few goals that are the right fit in every aspect of you life- not just your business. From there I share my simple five step process for setting goals you can actually achieve, focused around defining, sharing, planning, accountability and celebrating every win along the way.   This is a short and sweet solo episode and I hope you'll find it helpful, relatable and a little bit inspirational too. Thanks for joining the conversation!   Don't forget to like/follow the podcast to stay up to date on new episodes, and if you like what you hear please give us a share! Connect with me: Rhiannon LoudenInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/rhiannonlouden.co.uk & https://www.instagram.com/rhiannonealeWebsite: https://www.rhiannonlouden.co.ukSubstack: https://theraremumchronicles.substack.com/ Intro/Outro music credit: https://www.purple-planet.comBecome a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/courage-chaos--4358445/support.

Find it hard to make time to be present? To plan your days with purpose? To find a bit of time for you? When you're juggling ALL the plates, caught up in the busy day to day responsibilities and 'to-do' lists how are you meant to practice mindfulness?I am no expert in this area- but thankfully I know someone who is! This episode I'm joined by the wonderful Nicole HR, Mindfulness Practitioner and Life Coach and all around insightful human being and mum. Nicole explains to us what mindfulness is, how to practice it in small ways and in big ones, and how to implement tiny changes into your day that will make a big impact. She walks us through the science behind mindfulness and why it's so important- especially as women who are jugling a lot. This episode is full of perspective, advice and actionable steps you can take today to start seeing- and feeling- a big difference in your wellbeing. Thanks for joining the conversation!   Don't forget to like/follow the podcast to stay up to date on new episodes, and if you like what you hear please give us a share!Episode Links: Guest:Nicole HR, Mindfulness Practitioner and Life CoachInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/nicole_h.r/Website: https://nicolehr.co.uk/ Connect with me: Rhiannon Louden, Brand Strategist & Photographer, Business Mentor Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rhiannonlouden.co.uk & https://www.instagram.com/rhiannonealeWebsite: https://www.rhiannonlouden.co.ukSubstack: https://theraremumchronicles.substack.com/  Intro/Outro music credit: https://www.purple-planet.comBecome a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/courage-chaos--4358445/support.

Never mind the highlights. It’s the hurdles we’ve overcome that tell the most honest- and interesting- story.  Courage and Chaos is back for a new season- and I’m starting this one out by sharing the real, raw, honest truths about my own business journey as a female entrepreneur.  With a focus on five major obstacles and the ways I overcame them, I’ll walk you through my seven years of full time self employment (and the many years of side hustling before that) to get to where I am today: with two thriving business, co founding a community of female entrepreneurs in Scotland and raising two small humans.  Covering a move overseas and setting up a business in a new country, matresence and motherhood, disability parenting, a worldwide pandemic and a host of other things that tested my determination (and stubbornness) this episode is all about learning things the hard way, adapting, and celebrating growth and perseverence- even when it looks different than you thought it would.  Thanks for joining the conversation!   Don't forget to like/follow the podcast to stay up to date on new episodes, and if you like what you hear please give us a share! Connect with me: Rhiannon Louden Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rhiannonlouden.co.uk & https://www.instagram.com/rhiannonealeWebsite: https://www.rhiannonlouden.co.ukSubstack: https://theraremumchronicles.substack.com/ Intro/Outro music credit: https://www.purple-planet.comBecome a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/courage-chaos--4358445/support.

There is SO much pressure on new mums to be perfect- to love every minute of that newborn stage, to do everything “right”, for all of it to feel natural and beautiful.So when it doesn’t, and the tough stuff crops up, we feel like we are doing something wrong. Like we weren’t meant to be mums. Like we are failing.On next week’s episode of The Self Employed Mum 🎙️ I chat with Susie Dale of @matrescence_club and it’s easily the most honest, real, raw chat about motherhood I’ve ever shared.Susie talks us through matrescence, the evolution of motherhood and the importance of educating, sharing and supporting new mums- as well as lots of honest perspective from her own journey into motherhood as an entrepreneur.Thanks for joining the conversation! Don't forget to like/follow the podcast to stay up to date on new episodes, and if you like what you hear please give us a share! Episode Links:Guest: Susannah Dale, Matrescence ClubInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/matrescence_clubSubstack: https://substack.com/@matrescenceclubConnect with me:Rhiannon Louden, Small Fish Brand CoInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/smallfishbrandco/Website: https://www.smallfishglasgow.co.ukSubstack: https://theselfemployedmum.substack.com/ Intro/Outro music credit: https://www.purple-planet.comBecome a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/courage-chaos--4358445/support.

Mini episode: How to keep your business afloat when sh*t gets toughHow do you keep your business going when you're dealing with big things in your personal life? Whether it's grief, stress, change or all of the above, it's incredibly challenging to stay on top of everything as a business owner when the sh*t has hit the fan. This is probably the most personal episode I've ever recorded- as the past eight months have been really tough for me and I've learned a lot about what to do (and what not to do) when it comes to taking care of both your business, and yourself. I share a little bit about what's been going on in my family life, how I've managed to keep both of my small business afloat during it all and my five top tips for surviving a challenging time as an entrepreneur. This episode is FULL of honest persective and advice and it's for anyone who is currently struggling to navigate life and business during a tough time in their life.  Thanks for listening, and please share this episode with an entrepreneur you care about- especially if  you know they are dealing with a lot just now. Let's help this community grow! Episode Links:Host: Rhiannon Louden, Small Fish Brand CoInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/smallfishbrandco/ Website: https://www.smallfishglasgow.co.uk Linked In: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rhiannonmIntro/Outro music credit: https://www.purple-planet.comBecome a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/courage-chaos--4358445/support.

If you want to succeed as a small business, you need to find a way to stand out. So how do you actually do that? How do you figure out what it is that makes you unique, and find the confidence to show it? 🎙️This week’s episode of The Self Employed Mum Podcast is a special one as it’s with one of the most creative and talented people I know- and also one of my best friends! I’m joined by Brand Designer and Illustrator Emmelie Coulson, who specialises in bold and colourful branding for female entrepreneurs. Emmelie is as creative as they come, and she has some great insights to share on how to express yourself through your branding and why it’s important to truly be yourself. She also shares her top tips for standing out online and the two of us chat through the details of how this has made a big difference in our own business growth too. Both Emmelie and I have two young children at home, and we also talk about the challenges (and solutions!) to juggling these two major things at the same time. Thanks for joining the conversation! Don't forget to like/follow the podcast to stay up to date on new episodes, and if you like what you hear please give us a share! Episode Links:Guest: Emmelie Coulson, Emmelie Coulson  DesignInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/emmeliecoulson.design Website: https://www.emmeliecoulson.co.uk/ Connect with me:Rhiannon Louden, Small Fish Brand CoInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/smallfishbrandco/Website: https://www.smallfishglasgow.co.ukSubstack: https://theselfemployedmum.substack.com/ Intro/Outro music credit: https://www.purple-planet.comBecome a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/courage-chaos--4358445/support.